Reyes Adobe Days: The Weekend That Was

The numbers and the verdict are in. An estimated 15,000 people participated in the 6th Annual Reyes Adobe Days last October 1 to 3. "Night at the Adobe," the festival's kick-off event on Friday, drew in over 500 guests who sampled the wines and appetizers and purchased artwork by the dozen.

The 5K and mile-long races attracted a total of 250 pre-registered runners and walkers, quadrupling last year's. Over 400 people availed of the free shuttle that took them to various events, including the one-mile parade, which attracted over 60 entries.

It was undoubtedly a good showing for a city of 22,000 people. "The numbers across the board were good," said Amy Brink, community services director of the City of Agoura Hills.

Numbers on the rise

On their third year of participation as a vendor, Willy's Smokehouse and BBQ Grill enjoyed a 25 percent increase in sales revenue this year at the festival. Chef and owner Marco Gonzalez said, "We really prepared for it by adding more staff and bringing our smoker and grill to the site but it was well worth it."

Festival goers were in the mood for Willy's sandwiches, snapping up the Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket and Hickory Smoked BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. The Baby Back Pork Ribs also flew off the smoker in quick succession, according to Gonzalez.

Cyrena Nouzille, general manager and proprietor of Ladyface Alehouse and Brasserie, was equally pleased with their festival debut. "Over three days, we sold five kegs of beer and over 100 Bavarian pretzels," she recalled.

McGrath Family Farms was also new to the festival this year but thrilled at the unique opportunity to promote their wares. "Over two days, we sold five flats of strawberries, 10 flats of heirloom tomatoes and 20 buckets of assorted blooms," said Philip McGrath, one of the owners.

Eager anticipation

McGrath is already looking forward to next year's Reyes Adobe Days. And so is Gonzalez. "It just gets better and better for us sales-wise," he said.

A spokesman for Wade's Wines, which sponsored the wine tasting during the "Night of the Adobe," also echoes their sentiments. "We will be back definitely, the spokesman said. This year, the retail wine merchant handed out white, red and rose wines to the more than 500 attendees of the fall festival's event-kicker.

Ladyface Alehouse and Brasserie already has an ace up its sleeve. "Definitely, we'll be back next year, with our very own bratwurst grilling station," teased Nouzille.

Brink attributes the high attendance, vendor satisfaction and over-all success of the event to a few factors. "I think awareness is high and we've made improvements, plus people are looking for free or low-cost events to do in their own community," said Brink.